# US 2014/0198000 A1 · Method and Device for Calibrating an Antenna > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0198000 A1 - Document ID: US20140198000A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/743,158 - Filed: 2013-01-16 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-16 - Assignees: Comrod AS - Applicants: Comrod AS - Inventors: Jo Morten Eide - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140198000A1 ## CPC - G01R 29/10: Radiation diagrams of antennas - H01Q 1/362: {for broadside radiating helical antennas} - H01Q 3/00: Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system {(means for positioning H01Q1/125)} - H01Q 9/145: {by varying the electrical length} - H04B 17/103: {Reflected power, e.g. return loss} - H04B 17/12: of transmit antennas, e.g. of the amplitude or phase - G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12) - H01Q: ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS (radiators or antennas for microwave heating H05B6/72) - H04B: TRANSMISSION ## Abstract A method and device are for calibrating an antenna. At least one switch is spanning sections of a radiating antenna element. A controller is designed to selectively close the switch to be conductive, thus effectively short-circuiting the actual section of the antenna element. The method includes: installing the antenna for field use at least for transmission or reception of signals; then measuring the reflected power from the antenna at least for a number of frequencies or frequency ranges at more than one setting of the switch; and storing the settings that gives a desirable result of reflected power at an actual frequency or frequency range. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for calibrating an antenna where at least one switch is spanning a section of a radiating antenna element, and where a controller is designed to selectively close the switch, thus effectively short-circuiting the actual section of the antenna element, the method comprising: installing the antenna for field use at least for transmission or reception of signals; then measuring the reflected power from the antenna at least for a number of frequencies or frequency ranges at more than one setting of the switch; and storing the settings that gives a desirable result of reflected power at an actual frequency or frequency range. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1 wherein the method comprises measuring the transmission or receiving frequency and set the switch according to the stored setting. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1 wherein the method comprises: providing a signal generator that is controlled by the controller and designed to send radio frequency signals to the antenna; providing a directional coupler at the antenna that is connected to the controller; and measuring the reflected power from the antenna at the directional coupler for a frequency or frequency range produced by the signal generator. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A method according to claim 3 wherein the method comprises: letting the controller select a frequency at the signal generator; letting the controller select a setting of at least the switch; and measuring and storing the value of reflected power at that frequency and setting. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A method according to claim 4 wherein the method comprises repeating the procedure for a number of frequencies or frequency ranges. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A method according to claim 5 wherein the method comprises comparing the results for selecting the setting that gives the most desirable result at the actual frequency or frequency range. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A method according to claim 6 wherein the method comprises making a table of the settings that gives the most desirable results at more than one frequency or frequency range. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A method according to claim 7 wherein the method comprises letting the controller measure the actual transmission or receiving frequency or frequency range, or receive said information from a radio, and selecting a setting of the at least one switch from the table. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1 wherein the method comprises providing the controller with computing hardware and software for performing the method. ### Claim 10 A device for calibrating an antenna, the device comprising at least one switch that spans sections of a radiating antenna element, a controller that selectively closes the switch, thus effectively short-circuiting the actual section of the antenna element, wherein a signal generator that supplies the antenna with radio frequency signals is connected to the controller, and a directional coupler that is connected to the controller and measures the reflected power from the antenna. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A device according to claim 10 wherein the signal generator when controlled by the controller sends a radio frequency signal to the antenna and where the directional coupler measures the reflected power from the antenna at said frequency and transmits the result to the controller, and where the controller stores the value of reflected power from the antenna at the actual frequency. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A device according to claim 11 wherein the controller stores the value of reflected power at more than one setting of the switch for each frequency or range of frequencies. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A device according to claim 12 wherein the controller has computing hardware and software for performing the measurement. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A device according to claim 13 wherein the controller has computing hardware and software for choosing an appropriate setting of the at least one switch for the actual frequency. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) A device according to claim 10 wherein the switch comprises opposite poled paired diodes.